Is New Year's Day a stat holiday in Quebec?
Yes. New Year's Day is a statutory holiday in Quebec under the Act respecting labour standards.
Sources checked
Dates
| 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Friday, January 1, 2027 |
Who gets it
Anyone who works full time or part time is entitled, whatever their status (temporary, casual or on call), even after only a few days on the job. You lose the paid day if you're absent without a valid reason or your employer's permission on the workday before or after the holiday. For the Fête nationale, the only requirement is being employed on June 24.
Holiday pay
The employer pays an indemnity calculated from the wages earned in the weeks before the holiday.
If you work that day
If you work the holiday, you're paid for the day worked and the employer either adds the holiday indemnity or gives you a paid day off within 3 weeks before or after the holiday (special rules apply to the Fête nationale).
If it falls on your day off
If the holiday falls on your day off or during your vacation, the employer either pays the indemnity or gives you a paid compensatory day off on a date you agree on.
Federally regulated workers
New Year's Day is one of the 10 general holidays under the Canada Labour Code, so employees of federally regulated employers, such as banks and Canada Post, get it everywhere in Canada, including provinces where it isn't a provincial holiday. Holiday pay is at least 1/20 of wages (not counting overtime) earned in the 4 weeks before the week of the holiday, and employees who work it get at least 1.5 times their regular rate plus holiday pay.
Store closing rules
Quebec law requires most retail stores to close. Pharmacies may open; small food stores (375 m² or less) may open.
- Gouvernement du Québec: Heures d'ouverture des commerces lors des jours fériés (2026-2027) · checked 2026-10-15
- Retail Council of Canada: Holiday store hours by province · checked 2026-10-15
Sources
- CNESST: Statutory holidays in Quebec · checked 2026-10-15
- Gouvernement du Québec: Heures d'ouverture des commerces lors des jours fériés (2026-2027) · checked 2026-10-15
- Retail Council of Canada: Holiday store hours by province · checked 2026-10-15
- Canada.ca: General holidays for federally regulated employers · checked 2026-10-15
Questions
Is New Year's Day a stat holiday in Quebec?
Yes. New Year's Day is a statutory holiday in Quebec under the Act respecting labour standards.
When is New Year's Day in 2026 and 2027?
Thursday, January 1, 2026 in 2026 and Friday, January 1, 2027 in 2027.
Who gets New Year's Day off with pay in Quebec?
Anyone who works full time or part time is entitled, whatever their status (temporary, casual or on call), even after only a few days on the job. You lose the paid day if you're absent without a valid reason or your employer's permission on the workday before or after the holiday. For the Fête nationale, the only requirement is being employed on June 24.
How is holiday pay calculated in Quebec?
The employer pays an indemnity calculated from the wages earned in the weeks before the holiday.
What if I work on New Year's Day?
If you work the holiday, you're paid for the day worked and the employer either adds the holiday indemnity or gives you a paid day off within 3 weeks before or after the holiday (special rules apply to the Fête nationale).